Two deaths in the Yankee family  —  Johnny Blanchard, a Yankee from 1955-65, passed away today.  He was 76.  —  Blanchard played in five World Series, helping the Yankees win two of them.  He was an outfielder and catcher.  —  The Yankees also lost Arthur Richman, the team's senior advisor of media relations.

Price, 4 others optioned to Durham  —  LHP David Price was among five players optioned to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.  —  Also sent down were OF Justin Ruggiano, INFs Reid Brignac and Elliot Johnson, and C John Jaso.  —  Price said he expected the move and considers it “part of the game …

John Smoltz says first mound session felt ‘awkward’  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Right-hander John Smoltz pitched from the mound in a Boston Red Sox uniform for the first time Wednesday, testing his surgically repaired shoulder by throwing 40 pitches in the bullpen.  —  Smoltz

Please help John's family  —  THT and the baseball community lost a dear friend and writer this week when John Brattain passed away.  But, of course, his wife and two teenage daughters feel the loss much more keenly.  THT has started a donation drive to help them.

Nixon released, Gamel optioned  —  By Anthony Witrado of the Journal Sentinel  —  Phoenix - Outfielder Trot Nixon was released this morning, a move that had manager Ken Macha a bit emotional - no tears, but some heartfelt words for a guy he considers a friend.

Rockies Recap: Angels 18, Rockies 11 final  —  Angels 18, Rockies 11  —  At Tempe Diablo Stadium  —  At the plate:Jeff Baker showed simultaneously why teams want him, namely the Astros and Pirates, and why the Rockies want fair value to move him.  Starting his first game at third base, Baker homered twice and singled.

Carter, Palmeiro lead College Baseball Hall of Fame class  —  LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Former World Series star Joe Carter of Wichita State and Mississippi State's Rafael Palmeiro, who hit 569 home runs in the major leagues, are among 10 inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Jackson the Younger Impresses Jackson the Elder  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Reggie Jackson beat the Yankees prospect Austin Jackson into the clubhouse Tuesday night, and it was hard to tell who was happier.  Jackson, the youngster, pulled a full-count pitch high over the left-field foul pole for a grand slam in the eighth inning.

Source: Sale of Padres to Moorad appears close  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — The sale of the San Diego Padres from John Moores to former agent Jeff Moorad appears to be almost finalized.  —  The two sides were close to wrapping up the sale, a baseball official with knowledge of situation told …

CLEVELAND INDIANS  —  Baseball News, Schedule, Pictures, and More  —  Left-hander Scott Lewis named fifth starter by Cleveland Indians; Aaron Laffey demoted  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — GM Mark Shapiro was't kidding when he said the Indians would name their fifth starter “sooner rather than later.”

Robertson, Everett exit with injuries  —  While not deemed serious, timetable uncertain for lefty, shortstop  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Tigers were supposed to become whole on Thursday night, with their four World Baseball Classic stars due back in the lineup.

Yanks remain open to trading Cabrera  —  Gardner's success in center gives club options with 2008 center fielder  —  The Yankees have apparently not given up on trying to trade center fielder Melky Cabrera.  —  With Brett Gardner coming along at that position, the club had been open to dealing him earlier in the offseason.

The final numbers for Pettitte  —  Andy Pettitte's final line today:  —  5.1 innings  —  7 hits  —  5 runs  —  1 earned run  —  1 walk  —  3 strikeouts  —  83 pitches / 63 strikes  —  Of the seven hits, one was a broken-bat double and two others infield singles.

Another day, another new pitcher ...  PEORIA, Ariz. - The Padres continued their stockpiling of pitchers on Wednesday when they obtained right-hander Eulogio “Frankie” De La Cruz from the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations.  —  De La Cruz, who turned 25 earlier …

Manny Ramirez plays left field without further damage  —  He says his hamstring feels pretty good after playing three innings.  —  Reporting from Phoenix — Manny Ramirez watched a ball sail over his head and clear the wall behind him.  He prevented another ball from reaching that wall …

Baez ruled out of rotation competition  —  Trembley tells RHP that if he makes the team, it will be out of the bullpen  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Then, there were five.  —  The Orioles continued to whittle down the candidates for their rotation Wednesday, informing Danys Baez that if he makes the team …

Curt Shilling: Done With Baseball, Focused on MMO  —  Former Red Sox pitcher talks about his game studio and MMO at GamesBeat.  —  Following the announcement of his retirement from baseball yesterday, former Red Sox pitcher Curt Shilling spoke at the GamesBeat game conference in San Francisco about his next venture, 38 Studios.

KC wants Ponson to be under pressure  —  Club switches plan, will start righty against Mariners on Thursday  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Hang on.  There's a change of plans for Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson.  —  Now Ponson is scheduled to face the Mariners on Thursday afternoon …